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Historic GARDENS OF VIRGINIA
high as twenty-five thousand, and it is said to have extended for
twelve miles along James River. [he place name was, as it sounds,
borrowed from the Indians, and it may prove interesting to trace
its Origin.
Purchas, that observant historian of 1626, states that among
edible roots known to the aborigines was one called ‘Tockawaugh
growing like a flagge, of the greatness and taste of a potatoe,
which passeth a flery purgation before they may eate it being
poison while it is raw.’ Botanically, the plant belongs to the
arum, or lily, family, and is classified as wake-robin, jack-in-the¬
pulpit, and Indian turnip. The word Tuckahoe is found in diction¬
aries, and it was from the great quantity of these plants growing
along the streams of the estate that its name was gained.
But the name is not the only reminder of the Indians, for, on a
narrow arm of the little creek, which flows through the plantation,
may be found the well-preserved remains of a stone basin used by
the red men to pound their corn into meal.
A distinct character is given to the lawn at Tuckahoe by the
many fine old trees that shade it—elm, honey locust, or gleditschia;
willow-oak, catalpa, holly and dogwood. Some one has truly said
"The man who plants even a single tree does a good work and
an unselfish one; he plants for posterity, not for himself; he 1s
laying up a store of perennial beauty for a world yet unborn.”
This comes vividly before us at the old plantation, and sincere
thanks go out from our hearts to the early owners who, from a
background of more than two hundred years, have added so much
to the joy of present-day life and living. | |
At the very heart of the plantation stands the frame house of
two wings, double stories and a great hall. It boasts no pretension
to grandeur, but has claimed every right for hospitality since its
beginning. The date of the building has been placed anywhere
from 1674 to 1725, but, judging from the character of the carving
upon the interior woodwork, the dwelling should belong to the
seventeenth century.
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